Sunday Musings

Have you ever actually read the law of tithing? If you do so while referencing the 1828 dictionary (to understand the meaning of words at the time), a far different picture emerges than what is understood by most people in the church today. And it probably means that you're paying more than is required of you.

Connor shares several examples of how the church's actions may be guided by a desire to protect the image of the church, and how that can undermine a focus on doing what is right and letting the consequence follow.

Do the scriptures support Latter-day Saints using mind-altering substances? The answer may surprise you and reveal God's desire to remove the causes of our modern diseases.

Too often we gloss over or altogether ignore a select set of scripture versus that rebuke us for our hypocrisy and apostasy, wrongly thinking that they don't apply to us. In this musing, Connor discusses how Moroni was speaking about and to us in his condemnation of our corruption.

While many in the Church focus on religious freedom, including most recently President Dallin H. Oaks in a recent speech in Rome, it is worth considering if this narrowing of our concern to religious matters excludes other areas where we as a church community should publicly fight for freedom. Joseph Smith, for example, proclaimed a desire to defend the "civil and religious" liberty of all people. Should we?

What has become a second "Independence Day" of sorts has special meaning for members of the LDS Church whose heritage requires them to recognize that the government is full of "damned rascals," as Brigham Young once called them, who fail to secure our rights and often persecute instead of protect us.

Why do Christians turn to Caesar to be the arbiter and enforcement arm of their moral worldview? Connor explores some of the arguments used by proponents of "legislating morality" and discusses why they are problematic.

The Bible's story of Elisha and the hosts of heaven surrounding Syria's army should help followers of the Way realize we're in the majority even though our positions and actions might be in the mortal minority, subject to scorn and derision from peers, neighbors, and family members.

Should we sing patriotic songs in sacrament meeting? Is it appropriate to bear testimony of the "land of the free" and the like, especially for people who do nothing about it? Connor shares why he skipped church today and why the 4th of July worship service has been problematic for him in the past.

Members of the LDS Church were recently told that they "may appropriately choose to participate" in the political process, but is that enough? A few verses shine light on how far we've strayed from how much we're supposed to involve ourselves in.

God has said that we're condemned for our "vanity," and it's the same problem the children of Israel experienced when they told Samuel they wanted a king to be "like all the nations." What does this mean for followers of "the Way"?

We're told that Joseph Smith revealed, taught, and practiced polygamy. But there's significant evidence to conclude that this is not actually true. Connor reviews some of the information.

Early Christians weren't known by that label until later. They were simply followings of "the Way" — disciples of Christ who had told them personally that he was the way to follow. What does that mean for us?

We talk about having the "restored gospel," but we don't really have it — we only have a part of it. So why don't we talk about the "greater portion" that's been held back from us, let alone try and obtain it?

Why did the Prince of Peace say that he didn't come to bring peace, but a sword? What is it about the gospel of Jesus Christ that leads to contention?

Why did a modern prophet say that we, the Latter-day Saints, are "an idolatrous people"? While it's easy to dismiss and deride the early Israelites for their idol-chasing tendencies, what might we learn about their mistakes that apply to our own commitment to God today?

Connor shares some data he compiled revealing how little abortion has been discussed by church leaders in recent years, and discusses why this silence is so problematic.

In a religion that involves ongoing revelation, our beliefs are always subject to change. Some Latter-day Saints might be further along in their access to spiritual insights than us… so what does it look like to enforce membership restrictions on people who believe (and even advocate for) things that might fall outside of the mainstream?

There's a perception that the LDS Church controls politics in Utah. Connor shares several examples of how this has worked in the past, and explains why lobbying the legislature creates problems for Mormons who disagree with the Church's stance.

Most people who pledge allegiance to the flag, and the government "for which it stands," have no clue about its history or the purpose behind its creation. Connor shares that information and why it's problematic for Christians.

Are taxes the price we pay for living in a civil society? Or are they a sinful enslavement of some men over others?

Despite coming from a family of BYU graduates, and marrying into one as well, Connor explains several reasons why he will be encouraging his children to not attend Brigham Young University.

We often talk about wars and events happening elsewhere, but we don't know "the hearts of men in [our] own land." Why do we fall into the trap of fixating on external issues when there are so many internal issues we need to be fixing? Connor elaborates on an oft-ignored scripture to discuss its modern application.

Despite countless decades of counsel from our leaders, why do so few Latter-day Saints follow Joseph's example to lay up in store during years of plenty?

Can an intelligent person be a faithful person? Connor shares several reasons why he continues to believe in the gospel, despite arguments against it being true.

Does our religion allow us to seek a religious exemption from vaccine mandates? How about fighting in the military? Connor explores why our faith should lead us to focus on a bigger issue if we really care about religious freedom.

With the Russia and Ukraine controversy unfolding, what should Latter-day Saints believe and advocate? Is it okay to support war, either directly or indirectly? Connor reviews a modern revelation (God's law on war) that few people even pay attention to, let alone heed.

BYU bans beards, BYU-Idaho prohibits shorts, and some suggest that obedience to these Pharasaical policies helps show our obedience to God. But if the Lord looketh on the heart, why do we so heavily fixate on the superficial as a measure of our devotion to God?

It's widely known that Mormons don't drink alcohol or coffee or tea, but is this actually a commandment? Or have members of the LDS Church become like Pharisees in how they approach this principle of health?

Is civil disobedience ever justified by God? When is it okay to defy the government? Connor discusses these questions in light of Romans 13, the 12th Article of Faith ,and D&C 134, which are commonly cited by those who claim we should submit to the state.

Are the leaders of the Church always inspired? What is "prophetic counsel" that we are supposed to follow? And how can we determine what is from God and what is merely good advice to consider? Connor shares some historical examples to suggest the importance of not assuming that everything leaders say is inherently from God.

Despite claiming to care about religious freedom, why is the Church not speaking out against its threats today? Connor discusses the difference between institutional and individual obligations to support freedom, and why those who claim to worship God need to do something about it.

Many members of the LDS Church misunderstand what the War in Heaven was all about. They think that Satan wanted to "force us to be righteous," but no scripture supports this viewpoint. Connor discusses how Lucifer wanted to persuade people to commit sin while thinking they could avoid the consequences of their actions — a tactic that continues today.